14 October 2016

Season Three, Episode Zero: Basic Cable | The Sweater with Kathleen Dames


Are you ready for a new sweater? How about some cables? You’re in luck! Today is the preview episode for Season Three of The Sweater with Kathleen Dames. We will be knitting Basic Cable over the course of 12 weeks. Well, you’ll be knitting Basic Cable, and I will be working on a new design, Premium Cable, which has some of the same elements (so I can show you what we are talking about) but with an extra kick. I’m so excited and hope you are too! Visit the episode thread in the Kathleen Dames Design Ravelry group: http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/kathleen-dames-design/3512686/

 

If you haven’t already, visit http://www.kathleendames.com/thesweater to sign up for the newsletter and get your free Basic Cable pattern*. Your link to download the PDF will be in your Welcome email. Be sure to create your project page on Ravelry http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/basic-cable-2

 

Thanks for being here, and happy knitting!

xoxo, Kathleen

P.S. Share your project on social media with hashtags #kdsweater and #basiccable

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*Free pattern available until 6 January 2017. You can purchase Basic Cable from my Ravelry shop any time: http://www.ravelry.com/stores/kathleen-dames-design

 

Purchase the Season One pattern, Solstice Cardi, from my Ravelry shop: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/solstice-cardi

 

Purchase the Season Two pattern, Purly Pullover, from my Ravelry shop: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/purly-pullover

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Yarn info:

-Spirit Trail Fiberworks http://www.spirit-trail.net/  - Kathleen will be knitting her Premium Cable in Spirit Trail Fiberworks Zalti in the Au Naturel and Scrimshaw colorways

-Malabrigo Yarn http://www.malabrigoyarn.com/ - the original Basic Cable was knit in Malabrigo Rios in the Reflecting Pool colorway

 

periscope: https://www.periscope.tv/kathleendames

instagram: https://instagram.com/kathleendames/

twitter: https://twitter.com/kathleendames

ravelry: http://www.ravelry.com/designers/kathleen-dames

facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KathleenDamesDesign

music: Cafe Parisien with accordion iStock.com/frobisher


Check out this episode!

13 October 2016

Rhinebeck 2016

Will I see you there? New York Sheep & Wool is one of my favorite fiber events. I wouldn't miss it!

me in my happy place (Rhinebeck 2015) wearing Caught in the Rigging

Look for me at the Ravelry meetups on the hill from noon until 1:00pm on Saturday and Sunday. I also plan to attend the podcaster meetup (after the Ravelry one) on Saturday.

Otherwise, keep an eye out for the woman with the big grin on her face wearing Basic Cable (more on that tomorrow) on Saturday or Bittersweet on Sunday.  Keep your fingers crossed that the weather is on the cool side.

I'll have filament buttons to hand out in exchange for hugs and moth sympathy.

I plan to start sharing the saga of the moth battle here on the blog next week.

If you won't be able to make it to Rhinebeck, follow me on social media (links in the sidebar). I'll do my best to capture the joy.

Thanks so much for stopping by, and happy knitting!
xoxo,

15 September 2016

Pattern: Quadrille


Quadrille on Ravelry $8 (no account necessary)

With gracefully waving Hourglass and Hollow Oak patterns, Quadrille will have you dancing in no time. Feminine waist-shaping and 3/4 sleeves ensure they know you are the "lady", even when you take the lead.

Originally inspired by a knitted Irish wool vest my grandmother brought back from Ireland, Quadrille highlights the delightful Hollow Oak cable with its waving stitches, bobbles, and seed stitch. But I thought we needed a little something MORE, so Hourglass stitch fills the front panel and wends its way up the sleeves. To streamline the design a little, the underside of the sleeves, sides, and back are in Stockinette Stitch, which made room for waist shaping to make this figure-flattering.

Of course you can always leave off the waist-shaping, if that's not for you. Or make the sleeves (and/or body) longer to fit YOU.


What you'll love about knitting Quadrille:
  • worked bottom-up in the round, which makes for an almost finish-free knit
  • bobbles, cables, and twisted stitches make the knitting fun without being overwhelming
  • ribbing at hem, cuffs, and collar flows smoothly into/out of the main stitch patterns
What you'll love about wearing Quadrille:
  • DK weight sweater is the perfect weight for multiple seasons, especially with 3/4 sleeves
  • waist shaping makes for a figure-flattering knit
  • collar is slightly dropped in the front to highlight your collar bones



Size/Finished Measurements
Finished bust circumference 33¼ (36¼, 39¼, 42¼, 46¾) inches; shown in size 36¼ inches with 1¾ inches of negative ease

Materials
  • Yarn Love Yarn Amy March DK (100% wool; 280 yd/4 oz): Cranberry, 4 (5, 5, 6, 7) skeins
  • US5 (3.75 mm): 16-inch and 29-inch circulars and set of double-pointed
  • Markers
  • Removable markers
  • Cable needle (optional)
  • Stitch holders or waste yarn
  • Tapestry needle

Gauge
20 sts and 28 rows = 4 inches in Stockinette
23 sts and 28 rows = 4 inches in Hourglass pattern
15-st Hollow Oak chart = 2¾ inches wide

Skills Needed
  • casting on
  • binding off
  • knitting
  • purling
  • increasing
  • decreasing
  • working stitches out of order (cabling)
  • following charts for cables


Thanks!
Previously published in Interweave Knits Winter 2015
Photography: Nicholas Dames
Thank you for purchasing this pattern!


Everything you need to create your own beautiful Quadrille is provided in the professionally designed (by me!) pattern. Charted versions of the Hourglass and Hollow Oak stitch patterns are included.



Thanks for stopping by, and happy knitting!
xoxo,

13 September 2016

Birthday sale!

Happy birthday to me, but you get the present. 25% off all patterns in my Ravelry shop - discount taken at checkout (through midnight). 



08 September 2016

Filament No. 1 Fall 2016

What did you do with your summer? My friend Anne and I made a thing!

Filament No. 1 is now available. It is our very first pattern collection, and we had such fun making it that we have four more in the works for 2017. In this issue we were inspired by autumnal tweedy yarns and the fashions of the 1930s.


We have filled 32 full-color pages with eight patterns for women:
  • 2 pullovers
  • 2 cardigans
  • a pair of socks
  • a shawl
  • a hat and gloves set
  • a cowl and mitts set
For more information visit the Filament website, where you can also order print copies which come with a code to add the ebook version to your Ravelry library.

We also have just kicked off a KAL to celebrate the patterns in the book. Visit the Filament Ravelry forum for more information and to join us. I'm going to knit up a pair of Bonnie gloves for myself.

To purchase the ebook on Ravelry (no membership required), click the button below.

Let me know your favorite Filament No. 1 pattern in the comments.

Thanks for stopping by, and happy knitting!
xoxo, 

08 August 2016

Pattern: Strawberry-Picking Shrug


Strawberry-Picking Shrug on Ravelry (no account necessary)

If Mr. Woodhouse insists that Harriet wear a shawl in her portrait, Emma ought to wear something to keep her warm when visiting Donwell Abbey. This shrug offers the perfect compromise: lacy and light enough for Emma to wear picking strawberries in the summer sun, yet cozy and proper enough for her father’s satisfaction.

This is a perfect project for the more advanced beginner who wishes to dip a needle into the exciting waters of knitted lace, as strawberry lace is worked on both sides of the fabric. The garter-stitch hems ensure no rolling and a clean edge. Worked from bottom to top, the only finishing necessary is sewing two tiny seams.



What you'll love about knitting Strawberry-Picking Shrug:

  • You will master knitted lace (working lace stitches on right and wrong sides)--it's not nearly as difficult as you think it is :)
  • A small project with big impact--perfect for taking along with you
  • Learn seven (7!) different decreases


What you'll love about wearing Strawberry-Picking Shrug:
  • A lacy little thing that doesn't require the adjustments of a shawl or stole
  • Perfect when you need a little extra pop of color
  • Just the right size to keep the chill off, whether you're picking strawberries or in extreme air-conditioning



Size/Finished Measurements
12 ¼ (13 ½, 14 ½, 15 ¾, 16 ¾, 18, 19 ¼) inches at center back (as well as around the upper arm) and 19 (20 ¾, 22 ¾, 24 ¾, 26 ¾, 28 ½, 30 ½) inches long from cuff to cuff. Shrug shown measures 22 ¾ inches from cuff to cuff.

Materials
  • Malabrigo, Lace (100% Baby Merino wool; 470 yd (430 m)/1 ¾ oz, (50 g)), color:  Tuareg, 1 (1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2) skein(s)
  • Size 5 (3.75 mm) 24-inch circular needle
  • Markers
  • Tapestry needle

Gauge
25 sts and 35 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in Strawberry Lace

Skills Needed
  • casting on
  • binding off
  • knitting
  • purling
  • increasing
  • decreasing
  • following charted instructions for Strawberry Lace pattern



Thanks!
Previously published in Jane Austen Knits 2014
Photography: Nicholas Dames

Everything you need to create your own beautiful Strawberry-Picking Shrug is provided in the professionally designed (by me!) pattern. A charted version of the Strawberry Lace stitch pattern is included.



Thanks for stopping by, and happy knitting!
xoxo,

05 August 2016

Knitting Basic Cable with help from @anntudorllc sheep stitch markers (love them). This will be our next The Sweater sweater, so if you're looking for summer souvenir yarn, get yourself a sweater-quantity of worsted wool to be ready. I'm knitting with @malabrigoyarn Rios in the color Reflecting Pool (love it). #kathleeninmaine #sweaterknitting #kdsweater #basiccable


Knitting Basic Cable with help from @anntudorllc sheep stitch markers (love them). This will be our next The Sweater sweater, so if you're looking for summer souvenir yarn, get yourself a sweater-quantity of worsted wool to be ready. I'm knitting with @malabrigoyarn Rios in the color Reflecting Pool (love it). #kathleeninmaine #sweaterknitting #kdsweater #basiccable #iftttkd via Instagram http://bit.ly/2az91t3